MMV and partners launch “call to action” to G20 health ministers

Consortium urges G20 health ministers to do more to tackle pandemics, drug resistance and neglected diseases

22 May 2017

A consortium of organizations1 working on some of the most pressing issues in global health came together in May in Berlin to launch a “call to action”. The call was directed at G20 health ministers urging them to commit new long-term investment in innovative health technologies to combat antimicrobial resistance and poverty-related and neglected diseases.

Antimicrobial resistance and drug-resistant strains of malaria, HIV/Aids, TB, diarrhoeal disease and pneumonia pose an increasingly serious threat to public health. Meanwhile, the recent Ebola crisis in West Africa demonstrated real-world challenges of pandemic preparedness. Diseases of poverty are fuelling a downward spiral and exacting a heavy economic toll on affected families. In turn, this impedes economic development and holds back entire regions. Moreover, this is not only a question of global health, but also of global security.

“Improving global health and security while meeting the ambitious health targets of the UN Sustainable Development Goals will require sustained investment and political will,” said Dr David Reddy, MMV’s CEO. “Through this call we seek the commitment of the world’s largest and wealthiest economies in this endeavour. G20 leadership will be vital in reducing the global disease burden, saving countless lives, lifting millions out of poverty and averting billions of dollars in economic and social costs.”

As a member of the consortium, MMV co-hosted the roundtable discussions on global health innovation at the G20 to respond to this call. Delegates were invited to participate and discuss with co-hosts, stakeholders, politicians, think tanks, NGOs and representatives from G20 and G77 countries to input into the ongoing consultation process.